The brackets are out for the 2016 Abu Dhabi World Pro Jiu-Jitsu Championship and you can expect some very explosive first-round matches! We’ve highlighted seven bouts from the black and brown belt divisions that you definitely should not miss. 

Black Belt 94kg — Felipe Pena vs Diogo Araujo 

Fresh from his winning performance in Guam where he out-pointed Keenan Cornelius, Felipe Pena is back in action in his first major tournament since his dislocated his elbow in that crazy match with Erberth Santos at the European championships. 

Pena’s first draw is no easy return to action as he’ll face Soul Fighters rep Diogo Araujo, a very tough competitor who placed third at the Copa Podio Middleweight Grand Prix in 2013. 

Black Belt 77kg – Davi Ramos vs Marcos Tinoco 

When you put two explosive and submission-hungry grapplers together like Davi Ramos and Marcos Tinoco, expect nothing less than fireworks! Davi is known as one of the most dynamic jiu-jitsu competitors in the world, while Marcos has an aggressive style typical of the Marcelo Garcia Academy. When these two go head to head, it will be exciting for sure. 

Brown Belt 94kg — Nicholas Meregali vs Tommy Langaker 

The brown belt division features some explosive matches also, such as this opening bout in the 94kg category between 2016 Pan absolute division winner Nicholas Meregali and Copa Podio viking competitor Tommy Langaker of Norway. Representing Art of Jiu-Jitsu / Atos, Langaker is a true berserker and his all-out style of attack will be an interesting contrast to the super-technical jiu-jitsu we’ve come to expect from Alliance’s brown belt ace Meregali. 

Female Black-Brown Belt 62kg – Luiza Monteiro vs Ida Floisvik 

Speaking of vikings, Norwegian warrior Ida Floisvik (also of Copa Podio fame) will meet the wily Luiza Monteiro in the opening round of the combined black-belt 62kg division. Floisvik’s strength is well-known, but will it be enough to avoid the deadly spider guard and savage leg locks Monteiro is known to possess? 

Black Belt 77kg – Gabriel Pontes vs Felipe Silva 

In a battle of the Brazilians, Felipe Silva of Barbosa Jiu-Jitsu will go up against 2015 silver medallist Gabriel ‘Rollo’. Both these men are technical and very active competitors, and they both perform well in 6-min matches. Picking a winner is going to be tough as they match up so evenly on paper. 

Brown Belt 85kg — Nick Schrock vs John Combs 

From an all-Brazilian affair to all-American — John Combs popped onto our radar with his breakout performance at the 2016 Pans (swiftly followed by a solid submission victory on Fight To Win 4). Schrock is affectionately known by his nickname ‘Moose’, and one of his teammates told me he is the strongest person he’s ever trained with. Combs is an equally physical grappler, so this could become an all-out battle! 

Black Belt 77kg – Lucas Lepri vs Luan Carvalho 

Lightweights don’t come more explosive (or intense) than Luan Carvalho of Nova Uniao, and believe me when I say he’s really excited about meeting defending champion Lucas Lepri in the first round of the 77kg division! Most grapplers would be nervous about facing such an esteemed veteran as Lepri, but Carvalho is eagerly awaiting the opportunity to go head-to-head with the Alliance star. If we go by his performance at the Copa Podio Lightweight Grand Prix as a measure of his intensity, then Lepri will have his hands full for sure. 

Watch all of the action from the 2016 Abu Dhabi World Pro live and on replay here on FloGrappling